SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Tongues & Prophecy – Two Views:
• Cessationism
• Charismatic
(2). Some Introductory Remarks:
• We are studying 1st Corinthians, not just tongues and prophesy
• The main subject of chapters 12-14 is spiritual gifts
• Paul addresses chapter 14 to a local church, not an individual
• The apostle Paul is primarily writing to correct a problem
(3). Tongues and Prophecy a Definition:
• What do we mean by tongues?
• What do we mean by prophecy?
SERMON BODY
ill:
• Two local Churches of differing denominations;
• Were located only a few streets from each other in a small community.
• So they thought it might be better if they would merge;
• And this way become one united body, larger and more effective,
• Rather than two small struggling churches.
• Good idea ... but both were too petty to pull it off.
• The problem? They couldn't agree on how they would recite the Lord's Prayer.
• One group wanted "forgive us our trespasses"
• While the other group demanded "forgive us our debts."
• Sadly news of this failed merger reached the local newspaper;
• And the newsÂpaper reported the story saying;
• That “one church went back to its trespasses while the other returned to its debts!”
• TRANSITION: Now as silly as this story seems,
• It's a classic case of majoring on the minors.
• There are certain truths which are essential,
• The fundamentals of the Christian faith;
• i.e. Jesus is the Son of God.
• i.e. The substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross.
• i.e. The physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
• With these truths there is no compromise, they are not for negotiation!
• Deny these truths and you cannot be a Christian;
• They are core to the Christian faith.
But there are other issues which are secondary:
• That means that Christians can and will disagree on certain issues;
• Their understanding and therefore practices will be different.
• i.e. Differences over forms and styles of church leadership.
• (Should you have Elders, a Vicar, a Pastor or a leadership Team?)
• i.e. Differences over patterns of worship?
• (Liturgical and ‘non-liturgical’; traditional and modern; restrained and extrovert)
• Into this secondary group I would add;
• Particular emphases about the gifts of the Holy Spirit including tongues and prophecy
• It is secondary because it does not affect your salvation and key beliefs:
• i.e. you can be a charismatic Christian or a cessationist Christian.
• And you will still be a Christian! And still be a godly Christian!
As with any of the different gifts mentioned in the New Testament:
• We noted in previous studies;
• There are at least 28 spiritual gifts which have their definition revealed to us in the Bible;
• And they fall into three natural categories:
• Support gifts (e.g. Evangelist, teacher, pastor)
• Foundational gifts that provided direction & leadership for the Church.
• Service gifts (e.g. Administration, giving, helping, serving).
• Gifts that work ‘behind the scene’ building up the body of Christ.
• Sign gifts (e.g. Miracles, tongues, word of knowledge).
• Supernatural gifts that manifested the Holy Spirit’s power,
• Now a Church can function and go on and grow without any one of those 28 gifts!
• Because no one gift is in itself essential to a local Church functioning.
• So a Church can grow without some of these gifts being present;
• Not every Church will have every gift.
• Although I want to say and emphasise;
• That a Church will operate better the more gifts that it has;
• When those gifts are used correctly.
Quote: The term ‘spiritual gift’ simply means:
"A skill or ability that enables each Christian to perform a function in the body of Christ with ease and effectiveness".
Ill:
• The Detroit News carried a story about the American comedian Bill Cosby's aged mother;
• The story illustrates how useless gifts are unless they are used.
• She had been raised in poverty, and the family had very little money.
• As a result, she never had modern conveniences;
• And had gotten accustomed to doing things the hard way.
• When the children were old enough to get jobs,
• They often gave their mother electrical appliances as Christmas gifts;
• Thinking it would make her life easier - but she wouldn't use them.
• Bill especially remembered that after a while his mother had two or three toasters.
• But she left them in their boxes and put them on top of the refrigerator.
• At breakfast she would still do the toast in the oven.
• If the boys protested, she would say,
• "Leave them on the refrigerator. I'm used to doing it the old way."
• TRANSITION: As a leader in this Church I want to say;
• Our policy in never to just do things the old way,
• Nor is it to try and do things in a modern or a ‘trendy’ way!
• We want to do things first and foremost to do things in a Biblical way;
• And secondly in a way applicable for our culture and times.
Ill:
• I like the description of the men of Issachar in 1 Chronicles chapter 12 verse 32:
• "from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do"
• We need to ‘understand the times’ that is be relevant for our culture and times.
• But we also need to “Know what we should do”;
• That is knowing God’s will by seeking to do things in a Biblical way;
Note: Now we have two Sunday mornings on this chapter:
• So rather than rush it;
• I think it will be best to split it into a different two parts than advertised.
• Instead of dividing the chapter by verse numbers;
• Verses 1 to 25 and 26 to 40 as advertised.
• I think it would be better to first understand the terms that are used in this passage;
• Then next week we will have a general look the passage;
• And the problems the Corinthians were having and the advice the apostle gives them.
Note:
• Before we rush in to chapter 14;
• Let’s remember it is linked to chapter 13 in the Greek text there is no chapter division.
• So in chapter 14 verse 1 the apostle writes…“Follow the way of love”
• “Pursue it, chase after it, track it, hunt for it”
• Any spiritual gift that is used,
• Should be used as an expression of love within the fellowship.
• And in expressing spiritual gifts there should be;
• Patience, kindness, putting others first and humility.
• Remember that chapter 13 is not an interruption, a break;
• An interlude from the apostles teaching on spiritual gifts;
• Rather it is all part of the same teaching;
• Chapters 12 to 14 form a block and;
• Love is the cement that binds everything together.
(1). Tongues & Prophecy – Two Views.
• Theologically most Christians and therefore most Churches;
• Fall into one of two groups;
• Or understandings regarding the gifts of tongues and prophecy.
(a). One view point is often called, ‘cessationism’.
• Which holds the view that certain gifts were for the early Church only;
• And then they ceased to be.
• These "sign gifts" were given to the church for three reasons:
• 1st. They provided supernatural confirmation of the apostolic authority of the early church;
• 2nd. They helped lay the foundation for the church; and
• 3rd. They gave divine guidance to early believers;
• They were needed because the New Testament was not yet complete.
• Summary: Cessationist view - these supernatural gifts were needed;
• Because the early Church did not have a completed New Testament;
• So these gifts were necessary to help the Church properly function at that time.
• But they ceased, no longer needed when the New Testament was complete.
(b). Another view is what is often called, ‘charismatic’.
• The term charismatic derives from the Greek word meaning "grace gifts" or "favour".
• A charismatic Christian believes that all the gifts of the Spirit;
• Including the sign gifts (i.e. tongues & prophecy etc.) are still around today.
• Now among charismatic believers big differences can be seen;
• Regarding the emphasis on these sign gifts.
• i.e. Some charismatic Christians, like the Pentecostals,
• Believe that the evidence you have the Holy Spirit is that you speak in tongues.
• So there is a big emphasis on everyone in their congregation speaking in tongues.
• Most, charismatic Christians do not believe that.
• They would practice speaking in tongues but with a lesser on emphasis.
• It is part of their Christian experience but not the be-all and end-all of it!
• Summary: Charismatic view - these supernatural gifts are available today;
• Some Churches encourage them with no restraints;
• Other Churches say these gifts come with guidelines that need to be applied.
(2). Some Introductory Remarks
FIRST: We are studying 1st Corinthians, not just tongues and prophesy.
• Whole books are written on these two topics;
• And several sermons could be preached on these subjects;
• So please do not expect me to answer every question or detail;
• In the limited amount of time I have!
• I just can’t do it!
• So please do not get side-tracked by the pros and cons or bogged down in details.
• Remember we are working our way through 1st Corinthians,
• Not through a detailed topical study on tongues and prophecy.
SECOND: The main subject of chapters 12-14 is spiritual gifts
• Keep in mind the big picture;
• The main topic of chapters 12 to 14 is spiritual gifts as a whole,
• And not just tongues and prophecy.
• The gift of tongues and prophecy are emphasized in chapter 14,
• Because these gifts were being abused and misused.
• The bigger picture of chapter 12 to 14;
• Are spiritual gifts (and not just a few) functioning in the body of believers.
THIRD: Paul addresses chapter 14 to a local church, not an individual.
• Because speaking in tongues and prophecy are/were spiritual gifts,
• And spiritual gifts should benefit the whole church,
Quote:
“God has given gifts to us, his people:
These gifts are not toys to selfishly play with, or weapons to fight with!
They are tools to unselfishly build with.”
• So please as we look at the gifts of the Spirit;
• Keep in mind our main aim is to build each other up in the faith;
• And not fall out over them.
• Spiritual gifts should benefit the whole church,
• Note that the apostle Paul is dealing with tongues in the public Church setting;
• Rather than as a private experience that an individual may have.
FOURTH: the apostle Paul is primarily writing to correct a problem.
• Paul wants to correct a problem in the Corinthian church,
• He is not primarily writing to elevate the gift of tongues and prophecy.
• He wants to correct a problem that was dominating this Church at Corinth.
• Because the Corinthians were abusing this gift of tongues;
• The apostle has to spend a lot of time redressing the balance;
• In fact he spends 3 chapters (if you include chapter 13) on it.
• He is spending time not to exalt tongues & prophecy;
• But rather to show their significance in relation to the other spiritual gifts.
(3). Tongues and Prophecy a definition.
(a). What do we mean by tongues?
• You might not be surprised to know;
• That once again Christians disagree over what the gift of tongues actually is.
FIRST: the bit we all agree on! Tongues was a known language.
• When we first read of tongues in the New Testament;
• It is in the book of Acts (i.e. Acts chapter 2 verses 4,6,8 & 11).
• It is obvious that the apostles spoke in known languages;
• In fact three times that fact is emphasised (vs 6, 8 & 11).
“All of them (the apostles) were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
Two other times we read of tongues in the New Testament book of Acts:
(a).
• Acts chapter 10 verses 43-48:
• It was a sign given to convince Jewish Christians;
• That Gentile believers in Jesus could also receive the gift of the Spirit.
• In other words non-Jews had the same spiritual experience as the Jews had;
• So there was no two tier Christianity;
• In the early Church both Jew & Gentile had the same spiritual experience.
(b).
• Acts chapter 19 verses 1-7:
• It was again a sign given in yet another unique situation.
• The people were converts and followers of John the Baptist;
• They had no knowledge of Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
• Paul shares the message of Jesus and they believe.
• The apostle Paul places his hands on these new Christians,
• As a way of expressing fellowship, oneness with them.
• The Holy Spirit comes upon them and they speak in tongues and prophecy.
• Because they had never even heard of the Holy Spirit,
• God gave them tangible proof that he had come into their lives,
• We are not told if it was a native language or if it was something else.
• To be consistent in our interpretation;
• We should assume these tongues were the same as in chapter 2;
• Unless we have something in the text that suggests something different.
• Summary: Tongues in the book of Acts was a known language.
• It is the same Greek word “glossa” that is used in all three passages.
SECOND: the bit Christians disagree on! Tongues is also a heavenly language.
• Pause to say that if your translation of the New Testament;
• Has the word ‘unknown’ before the word ‘tongue’ here in chapter 14;
• The scribble it out it should not be there.
• i.e. The King James Bible includes this word.
• The word ‘unknown’ is not in the Greek text;
• It was added by Bible translators and confuses rather than helps!
• It is meant to emphasise they spoke in a language they had never learnt;
• (i.e. unknown to them);
• But it is often understood to mean an ‘unknown’ language;
• And that confuses the issues rather than helping!
Note:
• Pentecostals and charismatics often teach;
• That there are two types of tongues described in the New Testament:
• The human (i.e. foreign languages) tongues of Acts chapter 2;
• And the angelic tongues (i.e. private prayer language).
• The ‘tongues’ mentioned here in 1 Corinthians chapter 14;
• Is NOT understood by the speaker or the interpreter,
• It says in verse 2; “No-one understands him”
• Again it says in verse 11 says he is;
• “Foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me”.
• Summary: Some tongues like those in the book of Acts are other languages.
• Other tongues may be a language that no-one present understands.
• But in either situation they are not learned languages.
• i.e. Acts chapter 2 verse 4 says; “speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
• i.e. 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 2 “they utter mysteries by the Spirit”
(B). What do we mean by prophecy?
• The New Testament gift of prophecy;
• Is different from Old Testament prophesy.
• According to Jesus in Matthew chapter 12 verse 13.
• John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets.
• And remember that Old Testament prophets got stoned if their prophecy was incorrect.
• That obviously does not happen today. (Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 19-22).
Prophecy in the New Testament is similar (proclaiming a message) but it is also different:
• Is primarily a gift of proclamation (“forth-telling”),
• Not prediction (“fore-telling”).
• The Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” means;
• To “speak forth” or “declare” to bring a word from God on a particular situation.
• New Testament prophecy is the special ability that God gives to certain people;
• To communicate a timely and relevant message;
• This message is given for (1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 3):
• “Edification, exhortation and comfort of others”
Note:
• Prophecy was a gift essential to the early church
• Especially before the New Testament scripture was completed,
• When men and women disagreed over important issues;
• And they could not refer to their New Testament for guidance;
• They needed to be taught the mind of God on that issue,
• So they needed gifted individuals who could speak with authority:
• Who could share and declare and speak the mind of God into that situation,
Note: Worth noting:
• That the other Christians were not simply to swallow the prophecy ‘hook, line & sinker’:
• The prophets word still needed to be authenticated by others.
• (1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 29).
• “Let two or three prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.”
ill:
• Story: of a girl went to her minister and said:
• "God has given me a prophecy / this song to sing this morning".
• The minister looked at it and it was terrible, immature, sentimental nonsense!
• So he took it and tore it up, and said these words,
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord".
• TRANSITION: Now that story may be apocryphal;
• But it is a reminder to test things before we simply accept things.
• Prophets like preachers are fallible – so at times we will get it wrong;
• So prophecy (as with preaching) needs to be checked.
• As leaders at DRC we will seek to keep an eye on the preachers;
• And that principle also applies to the gift of prophecy.
Question: Is prophecy still around today?
Answer:
• I believe it is but not in so many of the forms we might see it portrayed.
• i.e. Some of the so called prophets on God TV etc.
• Appear to me to be nothing more than Christian clairvoyants;
• Going into spiritual states (trances);
• And claiming a unique ‘hot line’ to God that elevates them above other believers.
Question: How does prophecy work today?
Answer: A prophetic word today can be twofold:
FIRST: PREACHING GOD’S WORD
• The mind and the heart of God are clearly seen in his word;
• God speaks primarily through the preaching of his word;
• So in one sense the preaching of God’s word is prophetic.
• As we expound God’s word it reveals the mind of God to us for our lives and situations.
Now I am not saying every sermon preached is prophetic:
• But I would imagine every Christian here has had times;
• When the message spoken by the preacher seemed to be just for them and no-one else!
• It is a relevant and timely word from God;
• That spoke into the life of an individual person;
• A similar message may well speak also to Church as a whole.
SECOND: SPEAKING GOD’S MESSAGE.
• This understanding is when God chooses to speak a word through an individual;
• i.e. Acts chapter 11 verses 27-28 – Agabus who was a prophet.
• i.e. Acts chapter 21 verse 9: Philip had “four unmarried daughters who prophesied”
• We read about this gift of prophecy in various lists of spiritual gifts:
• i.e. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 10 & Romans chapter 12 verse 6
• Speaks of a specific timely word through an individual to his people.
• God speaks a specific message to a specific situation within the Church.
• Summary: Prophecy is when God speaks.
• Primarily through his word, at other times through gifted individuals.
• But prophecy needs to be evaluated.
Pause:
• If you felt you had the gift of prophecy and you had a word from God for this Church;
• How would it practically apply:
• FIRST: When it comes to preaching:
• We should always follow the example of the Berean people (Acts chapter 17 verse 11):
“ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
• We check out what is spoken to see if it is scriptural, of God!
• The word spoken therefore has its own parameters.
• SECOND: I would suggest that if you felt you had the gift of prophecy;
• And you felt had a word from God that you wanted to share with a person in the Church;
• Or for a specific situation in the Church.
• Then it would be appropriate to share it first with the Church leadership;
• Share it with the Church leaders;
• So that they as part of their leadership responsibility;
• Will be able to guide how best to handle things.
Question: Why?
Answer:
• So that verse 29 can be applied: “evaluate what is said.”
• And so that verse 40 can be fulfilled;
• “so that everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
Prayer:
• Loving God, help us to heed the advice of the apostle Paul to;
• “Follow the way of love” “Pursue it, chase after it, track it, hunt for it”
• Give us a deeper love and a greater understanding for your word;
• Give us a deeper love for one another. Amen!
Sermon Audio:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=px7H48JJWCdzDIZY6Q0mZ7JP0RraxRYW&forceSave=Tongues_and_Prophecy_Part_1_-_sermon_by_Gordon_Curley.mp3
